Actors and comedians lauded the television pioneer Ellen DeGeneres for her comedic and cultural contributions on Monday night, at a ceremony to commemorate her reception of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The ceremony commemorating DeGeneres' win of the top comedy award in the US will air on PBS. DeGeneres, 54, was quick to joke about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's plans to stop funding the public television network.

"Thanks to everyone at PBS. I am so happy to be part of your farewell season," she said.

DeGeneres usually steers clear of political comedy but during the ceremony she was lauded for helping to establish gay characters in mainstream culture. In 1997, DeGeneres came out publicly – her eponymous sitcom character, Ellen, came out shortly after. It was the first time a lead character had come out as gay on primetime television.

The show suffered a serious ratings decline and was cancelled in 1998. She then appeared in shows and films before re-establishing her star power as the host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and voicing Dory in the film Finding Nemo.

Glee's Jane Lynch and Sean Hayes, formerly of Will and Grace, credited Ellen for making it possible for their shows to include gay characters.

"I'm pretty darn sure I could not have the career I have, that I could not live as openly as I've lived, if it hadn't been for you," Lynch said.

Fellow television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel said DeGeneres' coming-out had been a milestone.

"For a lot of people, Ellen is their only homosexual friend," Kimmel said. "She's there in their living room every single day."

DeGeneres has hosted 10 seasons of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has won 35 Daytime Emmy Awards since its 2003 debut. She began her comedy career in her hometown of New Orleans and received her first big break performing on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson in 1986.

Ellen DeGeneres: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize will air 30 October at 8pm ET on PBS.